Jabaal Sheard

[patchick]

From Bunting @ NFP today: Stock watch | National Football Post



The more this process goes on the more I like this kid.

Here's how I see it right now: if you're looking for an edge rusher who is a senior, team captain, extremely productive in a BCS conference, and has the frame and athleticism of a Pats-style OLB, you have exactly 3 options in this draft: Von Miller, Ryan Kerrigan, and Sheard.

Granted, you might not be looking for every one of those qualities, but they're Belichick's MO high in the draft.

 

[MaineMan]

Here's how I see it right now: if you're looking for an edge rusher who is a senior, team captain, extremely productive in a BCS conference, and has the frame and athleticism of a Pats-style OLB, you have exactly 3 options in this draft: Von Miller, Ryan Kerrigan, and Sheard.

Granted, you might not be looking for every one of those qualities, but they're Belichick's MO high in the draft.

Also helps that he was highly productive for a full three years, both with and without Romeus.

 

[patchick]

The award for the oddest assessment of Sheard has to go to Drew Boylhart of TheHuddleReport:

He is big enough to play DE in a 3-4 defense and quick enough to play DE in a 4-3 defense. In a 1-gap attack defensive scheme, Jabaal would be a load to handle on the inside or outside.

3-4 DE? Penetrating DT? At 264 lbs?

 

[Stanley]

I went to a few Pitt games. He played with great leverage and power. He reminds me of Lamar Woodley. I would be ecstatic of we could get him in the 2nd round. We could go OL at 17, DE at 28, RB at 33, and move up in 2nd (use 3rd round pick) to get our pass rushing OLB. All major needs met!

 

[3rd and Long]

Chad Reuter's new mock on CBSSports.com has us taking Sheard at 28. Sheard wasn't on my radar until about a week ago, but I got to say that the more I read about him, the more I think he would be a great fit.

28. New England Patriots
Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh: Bill Belichick found a starter from the Big East last year late in the first round (CB Devin McCourty of Rutgers), why not go back to that conference for an NFL-ready pass rusher?

 

[patchick]

Chad Reuter's new mock on CBSSports.com has us taking Sheard at 28.

I can see it now: Pats take Muhammad Wilkerson at #17 and Sheard at #28. Pats fans and local media explode in a frenzy over this "terrible value," because "you could have gotten them much later." Mark my words.

 

[bucky]

I don't know whether or not Sheard can play OLB. But I do know that making such a decision based on his 40 time at the combine is like judging how well someone can cook based on how much they eat.

 

[dryheat44]

28. New England Patriots
Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh: Bill Belichick found a starter from the Big East last year late in the first round (CB Devin McCourty of Rutgers), why not go back to that conference for an NFL-ready pass rusher?

I love these "reasons" the draft experts provide us with.


Last year Bill Belichick found success with a left-handed business major with an October birthday, it makes sense that he goes back to that same formula?

 

[VJCPatriot]

Sheard has been moving up my draft board actually. I have him going to the Pats in an upcoming mock. But he's still a mid round 2 value in my book. He's still a half inch shorter than Cunningham who actually measured 6'3.3 at the Combine. I don't mind these conversion projects in round 2. But round 1 is for the surefire starters as far as the Pats are concerned. We'll likely trade down from 28 and pick up extra value before drafting OLB in round 2 would be my projected Pats strategy.

 

[patchick]

Sheard has been moving up my draft board actually. I have him going to the Pats in an upcoming mock. But he's still a mid round 2 value in my book. He's still a half inch shorter than Cunningham who actually measured 6'3.3 at the Combine. I don't mind these conversion projects in round 2. But round 1 is for the surefire starters as far as the Pats are concerned. We'll likely trade down from 28 and pick up extra value before drafting OLB in round 2 would be my projected Pats strategy.

I agree that the Pats are unlikely to draft anybody exactly at #28. But given the standard 1-32 format of a media mock, projecting Sheard at 28 is a good way for a writer to say "I can really picture the Patriots going for this guy."

 

[borg]

http://www.patriotsplanet.com/BB/images/smilies/jester.gif[/IMG]

I think that beer is coming my way
3/1/11
[QUOTE #33 A trade down opportunity that ultimately leads to Jabaal Sheard DE/OLB (#40s). Has size, speed. Off field questions may drop him some slots. Fact is, he locked up his adversary and threw him threw an art gallery window...showed leverage and accuracy. This pick would be a luxory with an eye on 3rd down improvement

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...at-your-first-4-picks-page28.html#post2492740

 

[Off The Grid]

The incident throwing the man through the center of the plate glass window is a HUGE positive when judging his skill set..........he displayed OUTSTANDING leverage and accuracy

Hah!! You owe me a beer for paraphrasing my previous GLOWING praise of Brother Sheard's demonstration of Real Time Leverage and Anchoring Power!!

I think that beer is coming my way

*03/01/11*

Fact is, he locked up his adversary and threw him threw an art gallery window...showed leverage and accuracy.

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...at-your-first-4-picks-page28.html#post2492740

*01/30/11* ~

Read the PATENT, baby!!

~ He sticks to his assignments.

~ He sets the edge, despite being literally assaulted on all sides.

~ And he plays with tremendous leverage: "through" the glass door!!

Sounds like a Patriot to ME!!

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/13/730124-immediate-impact-pass-rush-specialist-page4.html

That's TWO beers you owe me!!

 

[patchick]

FWIW, NFLDraftScout has posted some not-too-encouraging pro day measurables for Sheard:

VJ 32.5" BJ 09'04" Shuttle 4.65 Cone 7.34

Some comparisons with similar-sized players:
Brooks Reed 30.5" 09'04" 4.28 7.11
Justin Houston 36.5" 10'05" 4.34 6.95
Ryan Kerrigan 33.5" 10'02" 4.39 7.18
LaMarr Woodley 38.5" 9'9" 4.42
Brandon Graham 31.5" 09'03" 4.25 7.01
Derrick Morgan 36" 09'10" 4.21
Brian Orakpo 39.5" 10'10" 4.45 7.26

 

[VJCPatriot]

FWIW, NFLDraftScout has posted some not-too-encouraging pro day measurables for Sheard:

VJ 32.5" BJ 09'04" Shuttle 4.65 Cone 7.34

Some comparisons with similar-sized players:
Brooks Reed 30.5" 09'04" 4.28 7.11
Justin Houston 36.5" 10'05" 4.34 6.95
Ryan Kerrigan 33.5" 10'02" 4.39 7.18
LaMarr Woodley 38.5" 9'9" 4.42
Brandon Graham 31.5" 09'03" 4.25 7.01
Derrick Morgan 36" 09'10" 4.21
Brian Orakpo 39.5" 10'10" 4.45 7.26

Sheard is not as athletic as the other OLB prospects, which is why I believe he'll last into mid round 2. But except for the shuttle, maybe he fell down?, his numbers seem about in line with the others.

 

[patchick]

Sheard is not as athletic as the other OLB prospects, which is why I'm sure he'll last into mid round 2. But except for the shuttle, maybe he fell down?, his numbers seem about in line with the others.

The thing is, most of the successful prospects who haven't shown a lot of foot quickness in the cone & shuttle have made up for it with great explosiveness -- Woodley is an excellent example. I'm high on Sheard, but these numbers certainly don't help him.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

The thing is, most of the successful prospects who haven't shown a lot of foot quickness in the cone & shuttle have made up for it with great explosiveness -- Woodley is an excellent example. I'm high on Sheard, but these numbers certainly don't help him.

The thing that sets Sheard apart is his suddenness. His first step is very good. It allows him to turn the OT and get decent consistent pressure. Plus he is much better against the run than I originally thought.

As a second round pick, he projects very nicely in our defense.

 

[HomerSchooled]

FWIW, NFLDraftScout has posted some not-too-encouraging pro day measurables for Sheard:

VJ 32.5" BJ 09'04" Shuttle 4.65 Cone 7.34

Some comparisons with similar-sized players:
Brooks Reed 30.5" 09'04" 4.28 7.11
Justin Houston 36.5" 10'05" 4.34 6.95
Ryan Kerrigan 33.5" 10'02" 4.39 7.18
LaMarr Woodley 38.5" 9'9" 4.42
Brandon Graham 31.5" 09'03" 4.25 7.01
Derrick Morgan 36" 09'10" 4.21
Brian Orakpo 39.5" 10'10" 4.45 7.26

Is anybody else starting to find Justin Houston more and more enticing? These numbers just reminded me how much of an athlete he is, and word is he even ran a 4.57 40 at his pro day.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Is anybody else starting to find Justin Houston more and more enticing? These numbers just reminded me how much of an athlete he is, and word is he even ran a 4.57 40 at his pro day.

No the tape says he doesn't always give 100% and disappears for long stretches of the game.

 

[patchick]

The thing that sets Sheard apart is his suddenness. His first step is very good. It allows him to turn the OT and get decent consistent pressure. Plus he is much better against the run than I originally thought.

As a second round pick, he projects very nicely in our defense.

I agree, and I'm increasingly convinced that there won't be an attractive round-one option at OLB. I was just surprised that Sheard's measurables don't seem to reflect the suddenness & explosiveness he shows on the field.

On the flip side, from watching Houston play I was sure he was going measure in a lot smaller than he did. He's a bit of an odd prospect to me...the frame and the play don't match, if that makes sense. What's a strong 270-lb guy doing relying so completely on a wide outside speed rush?

 

[Metaphors]

What's a strong 270-lb guy doing relying so completely on a wide outside speed rush?

Chicks dig the long ball.

Being able to fire around the tackle with your hair on fire gets you drafted in the first round. That means serious coin. If you are a stiff/linear athlete, might as well follow the path of least resistance. Teams like the Jets, Packers and Ravens will be interested in Houston in the first round. Not so much with the Pats IMO.

I like Sheard because of his instincts and power. Ironically, those are the only aspects of Aldon Smith's game that I don't like. Think genetic experiments will be allowed in the next CBA?